Net-Zero
Carbon neutrality, or a "net zero carbon footprint," means achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing carbon dioxide released with an equivalent amount of renewable energy, or with offsetting emissions through planting trees that, in turn, could help prevent future greenhouse gas emissions.
NetZero Strategy Challenge:
As of 2007, Clemson University signed joining more than 750 colleges and universities towards working for a sustainable future. Of those, Clemson University is one of 93 other institutions with a goal to be a carbon neutral campus; within one generation -- by 2030.
Energy to support activities at the University is a major percentage of the direct and indirect carbon emissions attributable to Clemson’s carbon footprint. The NetZero Strategy seeks to develop and implement collaborative campus energy programs that will significantly reduce our carbon emissions related to Clemson’s energy consumption and provide sufficient renewable energy offsets towards the University’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality.
Why should we do this?
Energy prices have increased more than 60% over the last 10 years causing rising costs and prices in all sectors. The process is simple. As energy becomes less available, the price of energy increases because there is less of it and people are willing to pay more to have the same amount. These higher energy prices drive up the cost to heat, cool and light homes, travel, and also drive up individual product costs because companies face higher transportation, packaging and regulation costs themselves. This scarcity of energy, although severe, has a solution and we have already found it. By using renewable resources for energy the issue of scarcity is overcome, and for once in modern history we can sustain ourselves by using the earth's natural biosphere as it naturally occurs rather than extracting a set of finite resources. The use of renewable resources has a number of benefits. The main benefits are that we will work with the earth, potentially yielding more energy and power but at the same time leaving less of an impact so that future generations can still enjoy the life that we do here today. Aside from the benefits that renewable energy use can have, this effort needs to be coupled with conservation and efficiency improvements. Infrastructure improvements that control and measure energy more carefully help generate the same amount of energy but using less in the process and a number of technologies are available. Conservation is a harmonic process that allows humans to be less dependent and helps reduce our demand on the earth.
More importantly, as humans that share and live off this planet, it is our born responsibility to respect and conserve its resources. Because we are not "the last man on Earth" and because we need the earth's resources even for our present life, isn't it our job to use them the most efficient way? Leaving the smallest impact and greatest possibilities actually possible? Yes.
How can we do this?
First, we need behavioral change. Technical and electrical upgrades are nothing without each and every person being aware of their actions and aware of the impact they are having on the environment. Turning the lights off when you leave the room and turning the water off when you brush your teeth is what your mother used to yell at you because it cost her money. Well now mother earth is telling you the same thing. Except this time it's costing more than money. Conserving usage and changing behavior is essential to forwarding the net-zero mission. Simple energy tips are provided in addition to awareness information on Facilities' Energy Awareness page as well as others. Know the issues.
In terms of infrastructure and Clemson's energy usage, Clemson facilities, in cohort the General Electric's "NetZero" Project Initiative, outlines three major areas that Clemson will take focus on to achieve this mission. They have identified 3 focus areas:
- Demand Side Management
- Grid Optimization and Smart Grid
- Renewable Energy Production and Sourcing
- Fully integrated energy management system - Combination of smart-grid components & building management system for seamless campus controls
- Energy efficiency evaluation of campus buildings and plant systems - Energy audits that will identify improvement areas in indoor/outdoor lighting, HVAC, motors, insulation and overall building energy efficiency.
- Sustainable building and operations programs for high energy efficient new construction and major renovations in concert with measurement & verification and improved operating and maintenance programs.
Focus Area 2 - Grid Optimization and Smart Grid involves upgrading the campus' electrical infrastructure and developing pilot programs surrounding the new technology that use academic and research opportunities to provide real-world learning for students. Key initiatives are:
- Upgrading and repairing the main campus’ aging electrical infrastructure to ensure maximum safety, reliability, and stability and to advance Smart Grid Technologies.
- A
Smart Grid pilot program that demonstrates advance campus electrical
distribution operations, benefits academic and research pursuits at the
University and provides real-world learning opportunities for students:
Implementation of Energy Grid IED's and Smart Grid Communications
Operations, Monitoring, Protection, Control Modernization (SCADA)
Optimal Control of Campus Distributed Generation, Duke Supply, Load-Shifting, and Energy Storage
Focus Area 3 - Renewable Energy Production and Sourcing focuses on collaborating opportunities of reliable, long-term sources and production of renewable energy for the main campus that will foster programs beneficial to all areas of the University. Key initiatives are:
- Feasibility study stage of biomass gasification – Combined Heat & Power (CHP) pilot plant to serve a portion of the campus and replace coal fired thermal back-up capacity.
- Preliminary Study of Regional Ground Source Heat Pump Satellite Plants to supplement and replace traditional central campus heating and cooling systems. FUTURE OPPORTUNITY Athletic Sector and Housing Area Satellite Plants
- Evaluation of solar thermal (hot water) and PV (photovoltaic electric) solar system efficiency in the Upstate for future campus deployments.
- Long-term Renewable Energy Sourcing: Solar Power and Off-shore Wind Power
- Alternative Energy Sourcing: In-State Produced Nuclear
The success of these programs relies on our shared mission and ultimately our participation in caring for the earth and advancing sustainability. It is up to us to inject the values of sustainability into our world and we know as well as anyone that universities are the cradle for the future and thus we play a huge part in changing the infrastructure.